As a Democrat …

September 21, 2012

In response to Karen Butler's editorial explaining why she is a Republican, I felt it necessary to explain why I have been a lifelong Democrat and will vote for a platform supporting civil liberties this November.

It is not government's role to mandate what is "moral" as this country was founded on the very principle of freedom of choice. Democrats support your freedom to choose. Attend the church of your choice, marry the person that you love and choose when you can afford to start a family either emotionally or financially. The Democratic Party has a long and proud history of defending Civil Rights and expanding liberty, freedom and the right of choice to all Americans.

The Democratic Party is also the party of inclusion. Regardless of your religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, gender, or sexual orientation the Democratic platform will work to protect your civil liberties and freedom to CHOOSE. That Karen, is what the Founding Fathers intended.

The Republican platform as of late has been rather extreme and limiting or completely eliminating the freedom of choice in many aspects of American life. Harsh treatment of immigrants when this is a nation of immigrants. Unless you're Native American, your family immigrated to the United States seeking religious freedom, economic prosperity and the American Dream. Ban all abortions with no regard for rape or incest. Should a woman be forced to carry a child conceived out of hate to term? Why force a baby to be born and then fight with all of your might to eliminate social programs that would help care for said child?

God should not be part of the platform. The Constitution makes the separation of Church and State very, very clear. A recent Hillary Clinton quote I feel exemplifies the current state of the world. "As long as there are those who are willing to shed blood in the name of religion- in the name of God- the world will never know a true and lasting peace". Would world conflicts be what they are if religion was not a factor?

As a Democrat, I believe in compromise. Neither party's platform is flawless, therefore working in concert to right America's wrongs is the only way the United States can remain the greatest nation on earth. It should not take another national tragedy for our nation to be united to resolve our healthcare crisis, support efforts to protect our environment, avoid war with Iran and work to get the middle class back on track.

I am part of the 47 percent that Mr. Romney recently insulted. I don't believe in forcing women to have children and then turning your back on them. I deserve equal pay under the Lily Ledbetter Act. I feel that climate change is very real. I don't believe that corporations are people, rather people are people. I also believe that the Constitution is designed to protect us all from concentrated power.

In November, have faith in yourself when you go to the polls. Ask yourself what is important to you and make your own choice. Democratic ideals, primarily civil liberties, and compromise are important to me and the Obama Biden ticket will again have my vote.